All About Taft’s Ale House

In 2011 things changed for the Old St Paul’s German Evangelical Protestant Church… it had been scheduled for demolition and was saved by 3CDC in an attempt to save the historic building that dates back to 1850. It wasn’t long after that the Brewer Kevin Moreland from Listermann/Triple Digit stepped in and decided the space would be perfect to complete his dream of opening his own brewpub. (Moreland, for those of you who don’t know was the head brewer at Listermann, and is responsible for the creation of it’s Triple Digit line, as well as the reformulation of Wiedemann’s beer, bringing it back to the Cincinnati Market.) Moreland joined forces with David Williams as an investor and then, not wanting to run a restaurant in addition to brewing, he brought in David Kassling, who’s Tri-Tip Grill in NY would be a perfect addition to the project.

Photo Courtesy Taft’s Ale House

The space is shaping up to be a stunner, the brewery will save many of the features of the building, playing on it’s history to create a unique space. The building is 13,000 square feet on 3 levels with 46 foot ceilings.

Walking into the brewery, you will enter on the second floor, a communal beer hall

Photo Courtesy Taft’s Ale House

featuring large tables, “Oktoberfest style” for a more traditional beer hall experience. Upstairs on the mezzanine level you will find more intimate dining experiences including a private room in the churches former bell tower. The basement will be known as Big Billy’s basement, an homage to the character created to not only honor the former president, William Howard Taft, but to also honor his sense of humor. The bar in the basement has been referred to as an upscale cocktail bar… for beer, and I have heard talk of a barrel aged program being featured there.

Photo Courtesy Taft’s Ale House

The beer… there is expected currently to be 3 consistent beers year round, and 9 rotating taps ofseasonal and rarities. The brewery will also feature the beers from other local and ohio breweries. Their beers will be available initially for on premise consumption and growler fills only, but there are definite plans in the future for Taft’s to become a big distributor of local beer here in Cincinnati.

Photo Courtesy Taft’s Ale House

Keep your eyes peeled on 1429 Race Street this fall/early winter for the opening of Taft’s Ale House, and be sure to check them out on Facebook for updates on the brewery and definitely go to their website… it’s got a fun little feature to hold you over until you can get a real beer.